Day 8 of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup was not short of the thrills and spills that have graced the tournament so far. In what was the first of three matches to be played, Scotland's chances of progressing out of Group D were dashed after being condemned to another defeat by Japan.
Another romping was recorded in Group C with Italy putting five past Jamaica to all but seal a spot in the knockout phase for the first time since 1991. A brace by Aurora Galli and a Cristiana Girelli hat-trick took Milena Bertolini's side three points ahead of Brazil and Australia who are tied on three points apiece.
All in all, a few names have now made a strong claim for this year's Golden Ball and a strong individual contest could yet unfold. Here is how the top goalscorers chart looks at the moment:
Alex Morgan, United States: 5 goals
Cristiane Rozeira, Brazil: 4 goals
Cristiana Girelli, Italy: 3 goals
Eugénie Le Sommer, France: 2 goals
Wendie Renard, France: 2 goals
Barbara Bonansea, Italy: 2 goals
Aurora Galli, Italy: 2 goals
Jennifer Hermoso, Spain: 2 goals
Rose Lavelle, United States: 2 goals
Sam Mewis, United States: 2 goals
Click here for the full chart.
With uncertainty woven into the very fabric of football, it may be a tad early to single out any individual for the 2019 Golden Ball honor. As seen in recent times, there have series of rompings orchestrated by some of the tournaments favorites and the tendency to witness such goal-fests cannot be overruled.
With the chart now taking form after the second round of matches, here are the players to watch out for:
Alex Morgan
At the moment, the USWNT's Alex Morgan looks like the hottest candidate having banged in five in her side's historic 13-0 win over Thailand. The Orlando Pride forward and her teammates will take on Chile in the second game - a side that suffered a 2-0 defeat to Sweden in its first outing.
Chances are that Jill Ellis' ladies will run another riot on the South Americans with Morgan's involvement well expected.
Alex Morgan's 5 goals against Thailand tied the single-game record at a FIFA World Cup.
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 12, 2019
Watch them all again here pic.twitter.com/5vEbxwEwX1
Cristiane Rozeira
Brazil's Cristiane is also another candidate although her fate hinges on the Selecao surviving the drop in Group C. After bagging a hat-trick in the first game against Jamaica, the 34-year-old striker fired blanks as her side was condemned to a shock 3-2 defeat against Australia.
The biggest test of the Brazilians is yet to come with their next challenger being an Italian side that has won all of its first two games. That withstanding, a heavy defeat for the South Americans could put Cristiane's ambitions in jeopardy.
#BRA #BRA #BRA #BRAJAM | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/V6HlSJVLNU
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 9, 2019
Cristiana Girelli
After being less impactful on Matchday 1 against Australia, Cristiana Girelli's presence was felt in Friday's mauling of Jamaica. As the center-woman in Italy's attacking trio which features Barbara Bonansea as well as Ilaria Mauro, more goals should be expected off the boots of the 29-year-old Juventus player.
Should her side seal top spot in Group C by beating or drawing with Brazil in the final group game, Girelli could further boost her goal tally against the third place side in Group A. That will be between Norway and Nigeria with the pair boasting a better goal difference than South Korea while tied with three points apiece.
Hat-tricks at the #FIFAWWC 2019 so far:
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 14, 2019
Cristiane #BRA
Alex Morgan #USA
Cristiana Girelli #ITA
Ballers. pic.twitter.com/0VFsIG0xRT
Players to watch:
Eugenie le Sommer, France: 2 goals
Rose Lavelle, United States: 2 goals
Barbara Bonansea, Italy: 2 goals
Aurora Galli, Italy: 2 goals
Wendy Renard, France: 2 goals
Jennifer Hermoso, Spain: 2 goals
Carli Lloyd, United States: 1 goal.
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